K-12 Education. U.S. students consistently rank at or near the bottom in reading, writing, and mathematics among students in developed countries. Politicians, business leaders, and taxpayers have ranked education as the top national priority. Legislatures are reforming the nation’s schools through alternative educational and funding methods, including charter schools and more than $7 billion annually spent on technology.

Higher Education. The huge growth in students and workers seeking higher and continuing education with increased flexibility has overwhelmed the university system in the United States. As a result, non-traditional colleges, such as for-profit, specialized vocational and online education have successfully launched, gone public, and reached market capitalization in the billions.

Corporate Training and Human Capital Management. The increasingly competitive global economy and the quickening pace of technological change create an unprecedented demand by corporations to train, manage, and retain their employees. Corporations are heavily investing in companies that provide learning systems and curricula to increase employee productivity, retention, sales, and business results.

Lifelong Learning. While human resources specialists encourage employees to continually recreate oneself and one’s career through professional development courses, even the retired seek lifelong learning. With large amounts of discretionary dollars and time on their hands, many retirees seek stimulating activities; often, it is pursuing a lifelong desire for learning a foreign language, or taking courses in classical music, architecture, history, or gardening.